Tomb Raider buried its box office competition this weekend with $48 million in ticket sales.
Paramount and Mutual Film Company's PG-13 rated action adventure Lara Croft: Tomb Raider arrived to a butt kicking ESTIMATED $48.2 million at 3,308 theaters ($14,571 per theater), heading for $140-150 million in domestic theaters.
Tomb's average per theater was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend. Tomb opened bigger than the similar female power themed Charlie's Angels, which arrived to $40.13 million the weekend of Nov. 3-5, 2000 at 3,037 theaters, averaging $13,213 per theater). Angels, which played through the holiday season rather than the summer, went on to gross $125.3 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Simon West, Tomb stars Angelina Jolie.
Distribution sources noted that Tomb's ticket sales fell from Friday to Saturday by five or six percent instead of going up as is typically the case. Some attributed that decline to the film's unfavorable reviews, saying they kept adults away and that Paramount should not have screened the picture for critics. Other insiders countered that the bad reviews didn't really matter to the film's core audience of young moviegoers and that it wasn't unusual for movies opening so huge to be down a little on Saturday from Friday's heat of opening day.
"I can tell you that it wasn't unexpected," Paramount distribution president Wayne Lewellen said Sunday morning about Saturday's drop versus Friday. "I was using X-Men as the comparison to this. Their opening was like $54 million ($54.47 million the weekend of July 14-16, 2000 at 3,025 theaters, averaging $18,007 per theater) versus this one at $48 million. They were down seven percent on Saturday versus Friday and we're down five percent.
"Their Sunday was off 25 percent. I've estimated this one to be off 23 percent Sunday to Saturday, but quite frankly the fact that it's Fathers Day is (helpful because it's) a good movie day. I've looked back (at Sunday versus Saturday drops on Father's Day) and Mission: Impossible 2 was only off 21 percent (and) Shaft was off 11 percent. Most of the films were in the 10 to 15 percent drop on Sunday versus Saturday. So we could actually end up with a little better number."
Driven by Tomb, this Fathers Day weekend's box office for key films -- those grossing at least $500,000 - is about $128 million. Several distributors pointed out that that total is about 35 percent bigger than last year's $94.4 million key film gross and would make this the biggest Fathers Day weekend ever.
As for Tomb's exit polls, Lewellen said, "It was about 55 percent to 45 percent male versus female and younger than older. 25 and under is the majority of the audience. I don't have the breakdown (yet), but the majority of the audience was under 25. The definite recommends were very good -- in the younger audience more so than the older audience."
The film's strong opening came despite largely negative reviews. "I think is one of those films that may be review proof," Lewellen said. "That audience was ready to go see it. Particularly being a younger audience, the reviews don't have as much of an impact as (they would on) an older audience."
Asked where Tomb is heading in domestic theaters, Lewellen said it most likely would be in the $140-150 million range: "Obviously, the key to it is the second weekend and how it holds. If it continues to play along the lines of X-Men, (that) was off 57% the second weekend. If we follow that, you're looking at around $140-145 million." X-Men opened to about $6 million more than Tomb and ended up with $157.2 million in domestic theaters.
Buena Vista/Disney's PG rated animated feature Atlantis went wide after one week of sold-out exclusive engagements in New York and Los Angeles. Atlantis made sizable second place waves with an ESTIMATED $20.35 million at 3,011 theaters (+3,009 theaters; $6,760 per theater). Its cume is approximately $20.9 million.
Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, its voice talents include Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer and Leonard Nimoy.
"We're extremely pleased," Buena Vista Distribution president Chuck Viane said Sunday morning. "We always set a target of $20 million and to be able to get there in the face of such an overpowering opening by Tomb Raider. I just think is great. We always try to counter program, but who could have ever imagined Tomb Raider to be that big? It's fabulous. I'm just happy to be number two and at a number that is really, really comfortable for everybody."
Asked about audience reaction to the film, Viane noted, "I saw the CinemaScores and they were A-plus for males under 21 and A for females (under 21). For the 21-34s, they were both A and for the 35 and overs, they were both B-plus. I think that says a lot. It shows that both fathers and moms are having a good time at the movie and that obviously helps us a lot because you get the whole family to go together then.
"Historically, what will happen is that your weekdays become that much more important now that it's summertime and everybody's getting out of school. By the time the week's over, I'd imagine we're going to be somewhere around $31 to $32 million and, boy, that's a hell of a start!"
Last summer, BV/Disney's launch of its animated feature Dinosaur opened to $38.85 million the weekend of May 19-21, averaging $11,930 per theater. It went on to gross $137.7 million in domestic theaters.
In the summer of 1999, BV/Disney's animated feature Tarzan kicked off to $34.2 million the weekend of June 18-20, averaging $11,388 per theater. It went on to gross $171.1 million in domestic theaters.
DreamWorks' PG rated computer animated blockbuster Shrek fell one slot to third place in its fifth week, still holding impressively with an ESTIMATED $12.9 million (-22%) at 3,317 theaters (-398 theaters; $3,885 per theater). Its cume is approximately $197.5 million on its way to $250 million or more.
DreamWorks said Sunday morning that it expects Shrek to crack $200 million this Tuesday or Wednesday.
Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, its voice talents include Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow.
Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow's R rated action thriller Swordfish dropped three rungs to fourth place in its second week, holding well with an ESTIMATED $12.16 million (-33%) at 2,688 theaters (+10 theaters; $4,522 per theater). Its cume is approximately $39.2 million, heading for the $70 millions in domestic theaters.
Directed by Dominic Sena and produced by Joel Silver and Jonathan Krane, it stars John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Don Cheadle.
"We had the largest percentage increase over Friday night -- up 54 percent -- than any other film this weekend," Warner Bros. Distribution president Dan Fellman said Sunday morning. "Audiences continue to enjoy and recommend the film. They like our cast, they like the movie."
Buena Vista/Touchstone and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' PG-13 rated three hour epic action romance Pearl Harbor slid two levels to fifth place in its fourth weekend with a quieter $9.5 million (-35%) at 3,140 theaters (-115 theaters; $3,025 per theater). Its cume is approximately $159.9 million, on its way to $200 million by late summer.
Directed by Michael Bay, Pearl was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay and written by Randall Wallace. Its extensive cast is led by Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight and Alec Baldwin.
Focusing on where Pearl is heading, BV's Chuck Viane said, "I think it'll take us the rest of the summer (to reach $200 million). The picture shows that it plays very well on Saturday night. I think it'll be around for quite a while and that's the blessing of (having) all these megaplexes."
DreamWorks' and Columbia's PG-13 rated sci-fi comedy Evolution plunged two pegs to sixth place in its second week with a slower ESTIMATED $6.5 million (-52%) at 2,613 theaters (+2 theaters; $2,469 per theater). Its cume is approximately $25.4 million.
Directed by Ivan Reitman, it stars David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott and Julianne Moore.
Columbia's release of Revolution Studios PG-13 youth appeal comedy The Animal dropped two rungs in its third weekend to seventh place with a slower ESTIMATED $5.7 million (-41%) at 2,741 theaters (-47 theaters; $2,080 per theater). Its cume is approximately $45.4 million, heading. for $55 million or more in domestic theaters.
Directed by Luke Greenfield, it stars Rob Schneider.
20th Century Fox's PG-13 rated romantic musical drama Moulin Rouge slipped two notches in its fifth week (its third in wide release) to eighth place, holding well with an ESTIMATED $5.18 million (-32%) at 2,091 theaters (-192 theaters; $2,475 per theater). Its cume is approximately $36.8 million.
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, it stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.
"This is very, very encouraging," Fox distribution executive Rick Myerson said Sunday morning, pointing to the film's good legs. "The other pictures seem to be off a little bit more or about the same, so I think this is really good news for Moulin."
MGM's PG-13 comedy What's The Worst that Could Happen? fell two pegs to ninth place in its third weekend with a dull ESTIMATED $2.75 million (-50%) at 1,927 theaters (-748 theaters; $1,427 per theater). Its cume is approximately $27.3 million.
Directed by Sam Weisman, it stars Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito.
Rounding out the Top Ten was Universal's PG-13 rated adventure blockbuster sequel The Mummy Returns, down two slots in its seventh week with an okay ESTIMATED $2.43 million (-48%) at 1,777 theaters (-763 theaters; $1,370 per theater). Its cume is approximately $193.2 million, heading for $200 million in domestic theaters.
Written and directed by Stephen Sommers, Mummy stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz and features an appearance by wrestling star The Rock.
OTHER OPENINGS
This weekend also saw the arrival of Fox Searchlight's R rated drama "Sexy Beast" to a sexy ESTIMATED $0.18 million at 9 theaters ($20,077 per theater). Its cume after five days is approximately $0.23 million.
Directed by Jonathan Glazer, it stars Ben Kingsley.
"We're thrilled with the excellent opening we had which is really supported by the fantastic reviews that we've gotten almost unanimously across the board," Fox Searchlight distribution president Stephen Gilula said Sunday morning.
"It's a tremendous opening, I think, that shows that counter-programming of good alternative movies in the summertime can work (very well)."
Lions Gate Films' PG-13 rated drama Songcatcher opened to an unexciting ESTIMATED $0.040 million at 7 theaters ($5,686 per theater).
Directed by Maggie Greenwald, it stars Janet McTeer and Aidan Quinn.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
There were no national sneak previews this weekend.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, this weekend saw Miramax's R rated French thriller With a Friend Like Harry... continue to widen in its ninth week with an okay ESTIMATED $0.4 million at 220 theaters (+121 theaters; $1,835 per theater). Its North American cume is approximately $2.6 million.
Harry is being released under Miramax's French film banner Miramax Zoe.
Directed by Dominik Moll, it stars Laurent Lucas, Sergi Lopez, Mathilde Seigner and Sophie Guillemin.
Fine Line Features' R rated comedy The Anniversary Party went wider in its second week with an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.19 million at 16 theaters (+5 theaters; $11,955 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.4 million.
Written and directed by Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh, its ensemble cast includes Jane Adams, Jennifer Belas, Phoebe Cates, Alan Cumming, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gwyneth Paltrow, Parker Posey and John C. Reilly.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 -- took in approximately $128.01 million, up about 28.56% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $99.58 million.
This weekend's key film gross was up about 35.65% from last weekend this year when key films took in $94.37 million.
Last year, Paramount's opening week of Shaft was first with $21.71 million at 2,337 theaters ($9,292 per theater); and Buena Vista's second week of Gone In 60 Seconds was second with $14.90 million at 3,049 theaters ($4,886 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $36.6 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $68.6 million.
# # #

Swordfish was the weekend's biggest catch in this weekend's choppy box office waters.
In a weekend marked by surprisingly large percentage declines across the board, Swordfish outperformed expectations. The Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow film flew much higher on Hollywood's radar screen than insiders had anticipated.
Overall, key films grossed about $94 million, down sharply by over 22% from last week and up only a marginal 1.4% from last year. Insiders attributed the hefty percentage declines this weekend to a number of possible factors, including competition from televised basketball and hockey playoffs, widespread good weather and a concentration of high school proms.
"It was interesting to see the number of graduations and proms that actually fell on this weekend while normally they're spread out a little," one top distributor pointed out. "I think people were tied up with a lot of family events this weekend. The weather back East was fantastic. And you had the NBA game on Friday and again today and you had the final game of the hockey playoffs, Game Seven, on Saturday. It was just a combination of things. Never is there one thing -- unless it's the Super Bowl -- that impacts the business like this. And that's just a one day thing.
"To give you an idea, on Friday of the pictures in the marketplace already, other than the two new pictures (that opened), all the pictures were off 47 percent (on average) on Friday night and off 51 percent (on average) on Saturday. That's way out of line from the norms. Most of the time you don't see one weekend dive so much from, like, the first weekend in June to the second weekend in June."
Nonetheless, the weekend saw Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures' R rated action drama Swordfish made a big first place splash with a tasty ESTIMATED $18.43 million at 2,678 theaters ($6,882 per theater).
Swordfish's average per theater was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend.
Directed by Dominic Sena and produced by Joel Silver and Jonathan Krane, it stars John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Don Cheadle.
Reflecting on how well Swordfish kicked off, Warner Bros. Distribution president Dan Fellman said Sunday morning, "You have to just take a look at the demographics out there. All these movies were going after different audiences than ours. No question about it, the tracking once again proves that it doesn't always work. We came through. We're very, very happy about it. Now we're focusing on our second week."
Considering the competition from televised sports and a marketplace crowded with other films -- including DreamWorks' blockbuster Shrek, which many observers were predicting would move up from second place to capture top honors this weekend -- Fellman noted, "I think we beat the odds. We won the weekend certainly despite the NBA finals, which certainly hurt the box office on Friday and will again on Sunday."
Audience reaction, he added, "was really terrific. Our exits were great. The audience was 56% male and 44% female and they liked the movie equally, so that's very nice. This is the seventh motion picture in a row produced byJoel Silver that opened Number One in the marketplace.
"The studio's thrilled. It's nice to be in the John Travolta business when he's hot. We had a great cast (besides Travoltawith) Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry and Don Cheadle. These guys did a good job. And Dominic Sena made a good movie. And, of course, we have our production partners Village Roadshow in this movie, who deserve a tip of the hat."
Swordfish, Fellman said, "is John's third largest opening in his career. Face/Off is his biggest opening at $23.3 million. The General's Daughter is his second biggest at $22.3 million. Michael did $17 million, so this comes in (third). If you look at the (marketplace) for those movies in those days, there wasn't the enormous amount of competition the same weeks. They were generally free of competition. So (with Swordfish doing so well with a lot of competition now), it shows some strength for the movie."
As to where Swordfish might be heading, Fellman said it's too early to say at this point: "I think you need to sit back a little and digest the next weekend before we make predictions. We're off and running. It's a great opening for Warner Bros. and our summer. Our next movie is A.I. from Steven Spielberg and then we have also a terrific movie on July Fourth called Cats &amp; Dogs.
"We're looking forward to a huge year and, of course, with Harry Potter (in November) and Oceans 11 (in December) and Majestic at Christmas and Collateral Damage (in October) and Training Day (in September), we're in good shape."
DreamWorks' PG rated computer animated blockbuster Shrek held on to second place in its fourth week, continuing to show great legs with an ESTIMATED $17.1 million (-39%) at 3,715 theaters (+54 theaters; $4,602 per theater). Its cume is approximately $176.6 million on its way to $250-270 million.
With its move up to 3,715 playdates, DreamWorks set a record for the largest number of locations any film has ever played in, beating the record set last year by Paramount's Mission: Impossible 2 with 3,669 locations.
Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, its voice talents include Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow.
"Two of the top five," DreamWorks distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning, noting that the studio was very happy about its good showing with both Shrek and its opening of Evolution. "With that kind of weekend (where everything was down so much), we're actually pretty happy with both these numbers."
Buena Vista/Touchstone and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' PG-13 rated three hour epic action romance Pearl Harbor dropped two fathoms to third place in its third weekend with a less lively $14.9 million (-50%) at 3,255 theaters (+41 theaters; $4,565 per theater). Its cume is approximately $144.1 million, heading for $200 million.
Directed by Michael Bay, Pearl was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay and written by Randall Wallace. Its extensive cast is led by Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight and Alec Baldwin.
"It appears that we're going to play on the same exact formula that Lost World did," Buena Vista Distribution president Chuck Viane said Sunday morning. "Lost World was off 46-point-something percent and we're off 49.7 percent. It pretty much says that whatever the tracking of that particular movie was, that's the format we're going to find. Obviously, it takes you into the $200 millions."
Viane noted that there's a lot of competition in the marketplace from other films and that, "Part of it this weekend is that you've got (sports competition from) the Lakers on Friday and Sunday and you had the probably the first good weather in the East. But everybody was in that ballgame, so we're all equal (in terms of how it impacted)."
Viane pointed out that BV was also very pleased with its launch this weekend of Disney's PG rated animated adventure Atlantis in exclusive engagements in New York and Los Angeles. Atlantis did a staggering ESTIMATED $0.34 million at 2 theaters ($170,794 per theater).
Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, its voice talents include Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer and Leonard Nimoy.
"What can I say other than, 'What a hell of a start?'" Viane observed.
Asked why BV had taken the exclusive engagements opening route with Atlantis that it had used years ago with its animated feature, Viane explained, "One of the greatest sales tools that a team has is when a movie plays really well. We had a sense that we'd get some really good critical reviews -- like Ebert and Roeper both gave it two thumbs up. We know the audience loves it. Any time you can get the people talking about your movie, then I think you've hit a home run. We knew very early on how much the public enjoys the movie. So we just decided to take a page out of our past and recreate it. It goes wide this Friday. I would imagine we'll approach 3,000 runs."
DreamWorks' and Columbia's PG-13 rated sci-fi comedy Evolution kicked off strongly in fourth place with a happy ESTIMATED $13.2 million at 2,611 theaters ($5,056 per theater).
Directed by Ivan Reitman, it stars David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott and Julianne Moore.
"Better than the tracking," DreamWorks' Jim Tharp said, noting that the film hadn't been expected to open this well. "And in a down weekend. We're pretty happy with the numbers based on the weekend that we're in."
Columbia's release of Revolution Studios PG-13 youth appeal comedy The Animal fell sharply in its second weekend, down two slots to fifth place with a quieter ESTIMATED $9.8 million (-50%) at 2,788 theaters (theater count unchanged; $3,515 per theater). The film, which only cost $22 million to make, has a cume of approximately $35.8 million and is heading for $60-70 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Luke Greenfield, it stars Rob Schneider.
"I think the drops (this weekend) were universally higher than what everyone would have liked," Sony Pictures Entertainment worldwide marketing &amp; distribution president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning.
"I think we can safely attribute that (to) the lovely weather that almost seems for the first time to be crossing the country this weekend. I think everybody lost a few points due to the weather this weekend."
20th Century Fox's PG-13 rated romantic musical drama Moulin Rouge slid two notches in its fourth week (its second in wide release) with an okay ESTIMATED $7.62 million (-44%) at 2,283 theaters (+4 theaters; $3,336 per theater). Its cume is approximately $27.5 million.
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, it stars Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.
"Everybody (is down a lot this weekend). I'd be killing myself if it was only us," Fox distribution president Bruce Snyder said Sunday morning, pointing to some even steeper declines than Moulin's. "Otherwise, I'd be going 'Geez! 44 percent!' I think it's just the weekend. In order to expand the market for another $35 million to take in Swordfish and Evolution, everybody took a hit."
Is Moulin's 44 percent drop cause for alarm? "I really don't think so," Snyder replied. "What it's saying it's the end of is the weak sister theaters that we've had. They'll be disappearing quickly. But where this picture is working, it's still got some great numbers. The individual numbers are terrific. What you're finding in cities is one run is absolutely gangbusters, kicking butt -- usually in the most sophisticated zone -- and the blue collar zones are (not nearly as good). So we'll end up losing those and keeping the solid ones. We've got a long way to go."
MGM's PG-13 comedy What's The Worst that Could Happen? tumbled two pegs to seventh place in its second weekend with a less funny ESTIMATED $5.4 million (-58%) at 2,675 theaters (theater count unchanged; $2,019 per theater). Its cume is approximately $22.2 million.
Directed by Sam Weisman, it stars Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito.
Universal's PG-13 rated adventure blockbuster sequel The Mummy Returns fell three pegs to eighth place in its sixth week with an okay ESTIMATED $4.15 million (-46%) at 2,539 theaters (-665 theaters; $1,635 per theater). Its cume is approximately $188.2 million, heading for $200 million in domestic theaters.
Written and directed by Stephen Sommers, Mummy stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz and features an appearance by wrestling star The Rock.
Columbia's PG-13 rated youth appeal adventure A Knight's Tale slid two notches to ninth place in its fifth week with a calm ESTIMATED $1.7 million (-50%) at 1,850 theaters (-591 theaters; $919 per theater). Tale, which cost only $41 million to produce, has a cume of approximately $52.7 million and is heading for $60 million in domestic theaters.
Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, Tale stars Heath Ledger.
Rounding out the Top Ten was the R rated romantic comedy Bridget Jones's Diary from Miramax Films, Universal Pictures, StudioCanal and Working Title, down two rungs in its ninth week with a quiet ESTIMATED $1.2 million (-40%) at 975 theaters (-326 theaters; $1,230 per theater). Its cume is approximately $67.4 million, heading for $70 million in domestic theaters.
Having only cost about $25 million to produce, Bridget will be very profitable.
Directed by Sharon Maguire, Bridget stars Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant.
OTHER OPENINGS
This weekend also saw the arrival of Fine Line Features' R rated comedy The Anniversary Party to an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.16 million at 11 theaters ($14,790 per theater).
Written and directed by Alan Cumming and Jennifer Jason Leigh, its ensemble cast includes Jane Adams, Jennifer Beals, Phoebe Cates, Alan Cumming, Kevin Kline, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gwyneth Paltrow, Parker Posey and John C. Reilly.
Paramount Classics' romantic drama Bride of the Wind opened to an okay ESTIMATED $0.035 million at 8 theaters ($4,420 per theater).
Directed by Bruce Beresford, it stars Sarah Wynter, Jonathan Pryce and Vincent Perez.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
There were no national sneak previews this weekend.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, this weekend saw Miramax's R rated French thriller With a Friend Like Harry... continue to widen in its eighth week with an okay ESTIMATED $0.19 million (-3%) at 99 theaters (+28 theaters; $1,865 per theater). Its North American cume is approximately $2.1 million.
Harry is being released under Miramax's French film banner Miramax Zoe.
Directed by Dominik Moll, it stars Laurent Lucas, Sergi Lopez, Mathilde Seigner and Sophie Guillemin.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 -- took in approximately $94.11 million, up a marginal 1.38% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $92.83 million.
This weekend's key film gross was down about 22.23% from last weekend this year when key films took in $121.02 million.
Last year, Buena Vista's opening week of Gone In 60 Seconds was first with $25.34 million at 3,006 theaters ($8,428 per theater; and Paramount's third week of Mission: Impossible 2 was second with $17.23 million at 3,669 theaters ($4,696 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $42.5 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $35.5 million.
# # #

There was lots of Olympic Gold but very little box office gold this weekend.
Insiders had anticipated low grosses and a close race for first place, and that's exactly what they got. With ticket sales down over 33 percent from this time last year, it took only $5.7 million for Universal's "The Watcher" to nail down the top spot.
Key films in the marketplace - those grossing $500,000 or more for the weekend - did approximately $47.58 million. Distribution sources said Sunday morning they believed that was the lowest total since the weekend of Sept. 11-13, 1998, when key films took in $48.85 million.
Was it the Olympics that killed the movie business this weekend? Key distribution executives share some thoughts about that in today's report (see OLYMPICS IMPACT below).
The weekend's biggest success story was DreamWorks' opening of its R-rated dramatic comedy "Almost Famous," placing eighth at 131 theaters with an estimated $2.3 million and averaging $17,550 per theater. (Complete details below in today's Top Ten report.)
Universal's R-rated psychological thriller "The Watcher" held on to first place by its fingernails in its second week with a modest estimated $5.72 million (-37 percent) at 2,745 theaters (+3 theaters; $2,085 per theater). Its cume is approximately $17.3 million, heading for $25-30 million in domestic theaters.
Universal reportedly picked "Watcher" up from Interlight for only $5 million, so the studio is clearly turning a profit on its investment.
Directed by Joe Charbanic, "Watcher" stars James Spader, Marisa Tomei and Keanu Reeves.
"As depressed as the marketplace is, I'm very happy that Universal has 25 percent of the market share with three films ('The Watcher,' 'Bring It On' and 'Nutty Professor II: The Klumps')," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said. "And 'Nurse Betty,' which is ours (acquired as part of Universal's PolyGram takeover) makes it four films - three in the top five - and a 33 percent market share."
Rocco added that Universal is very bullish on its Oct. 6 opening at 2,000-plus theaters of the PG-13-rated comedy "Meet the Parents." Universal will sneak "Parents" this Saturday (Sept. 23) at 185 theaters in the top 10-14 markets.
Directed by Jay Roach, it stars Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller.
Warner Bros. and Castle Rock Entertainment's R-rated action comedy "Bait," which insiders had expected to capture first place, finished second with an unexciting estimated $5.5 million at 2,352 theaters ($2,338 per theater).
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, "Bait" stars Jamie Foxx.
Universal and Beacon Pictures' PG-13-rated comedy "Bring It On" held on to third place in its fourth week with a still cheery estimated $5.09 million (-25 percent) at 2,427 theaters (+11 theaters; $2,095 per theater). Its cume is approximately $50.9 million, heading for $60 million in domestic theaters.
Having an investment of only about $10 million in "Bring," Universal is already in profit on the picture.
Directed by Peyton Reed, "Bring" stars Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dusku, Jesse Bradford and Gabrielle Union.
USA Films' R-rated dark comedy "Nurse Betty" slid two pegs to fourth place in its second week with a still healthy estimated $4.71 million (-32 percent) at 1,469 theaters (+10 theaters; $3,208 per theater). Its cume is approximately $13.6 million, heading for $21-25 million in domestic theaters.
"Betty's" per-theater average was the highest for any film playing in over 1,000 theaters last weekend.
"Betty" actually is owned by Universal, which acquired it as part of its takeover of PolyGram and then brought in USA to handle its domestic release.
"I feel really good about how the picture played out there," USA Films distribution president Jack Foley said Sunday morning. "I was looking at a lot of the theaters we're in throughout the country. By and large, we are in markets that 'Almost Famous' hasn't opened in. We are generally number one in the complex. So it held in there really nicely. Where 'Almost Famous' has opened, in a lot of cases we're number two in those complexes.
"It held in well. It looks like it's got decent legs. In some cases - like, for instance, in Farmingdale on Long Island and in Redwood City (near San Francisco) - our number was competitive to 'Almost Famous' in New York and in San Francisco against us was at least two to three times bigger than our gross. I think the picture's showing that it's got durability overall. The smaller markets were the really pleasant surprises because their drops from last weekend were rather minimal. They were around 20 percent. So it showed a good word of mouth."
Looking ahead, Foley noted, "I think next weekend is going to be a very critical weekend due to the broadening of 'Almost Famous.' We'll see what effects it has on the film. But at this stage of the game we're looking at a $21-22 million range, no sweat, and, probably, $25 million is going to be where it gets to (in domestic theaters)."
Directed by Neil La Bute, "Betty" stars Morgan Freeman, Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock and Greg Kinnear.
DreamWorks PG-13-rated supernatural thriller "What Lies Beneath" rose one peg to fifth place in its ninth week, holding well with an estimated $2.6 million (-7 percent) at 2,007 theaters (-159 theaters; $1,290 per theater). Its cume is approximately $145.7 million.
"Beneath" is a co-production of DreamWorks, which is releasing it domestically, and 20th Century Fox, which is distributing it internationally.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, "Beneath" stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Warner Bros. PG-13 sci-fi action adventure "Space Cowboys" fell one rung to sixth place in its seventh week with an okay estimated $2.53 million (-24 percent) at 2,461 theaters (-146 theaters; $1,028 per theater). Its cume is approximately $82.2 million, heading for $90-100 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, "Space" stars Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and Donald Sutherland.
Besides being very pleased with how well "Space" has been performing, Warner Bros. Distribution president Dan Fellman said Sunday morning he was especially happy about the encouraging start that the studio's release of its documentary "Into the Arms of Strangers" had gotten off to with about $29,000 at five theaters.
The PG-rated documentary was written and directed by Mark Jonathan Harris and produced by Deborah Oppenheimer. It is the story of the Kintertransport rescue operation prior to the start of World War II, in which some 10,000 children's lives were saved as the result of being taken in by Britain after the rise of Hitler.
Noting that the film was "extremely well reviewed," Fellman explained, "On Friday we had five theaters with a gross of $6,128, which is $1,226 a theater - nothing to shake about. Last night (Saturday), we did $15,442 in the same five theaters. We averaged $3,088, which is an increase of 152 percent, which is really terrific. If you look at any limited (release) film in the marketplace, you'll see they went up 40-45 percent, some of them a little less. So this is a huge number.
"What happened to this movie on Saturday is that word of mouth (was getting around and people) started to read about it. It's a very small movie with no television (advertising). We opened up at one theater in each market in New York, L.A., Boston, Washington and Toronto. We plan on going about two weeks in these markets, and then around the 13th of October, we're going to move into an additional 10 markets and expand (in the initial markets)."
New Line's R-rated fantasy suspense thriller "The Cell" fell three rungs to seventh place in its fifth week with a less sexy estimated $2.45 million (-33 percent) a 2,250 theaters (-226 theaters; $1,089 per theater). Its cume is approximately $55.0 million.
Directed by Tarsem, "Cell" stars Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn and Vincent D'Onofrio.
DreamWorks' "Almost Famous" opened in eighth place to a very encouraging estimated $2.3 million at 131 theaters ($17,550 per theater). Its cume, including five days in New York and Los Angeles, is approximately $2.4 million.
Taking a page from its very successful distribution plan this time last year for "American Beauty," DreamWorks launched "Almost" in New York and Los Angeles last Wednesday (Sept. 13) and put it in limited release this weekend. It will expand in the coming weeks.
"It's really a great start," DreamWorks distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning. "Not much else is grossing right now. $17,550 (per theater) is a pretty fantastic number - to the point that we're going to expand (faster than originally planned). We had a plan of expanding on Sept. 22 and Sept. 29. We may speed up the number of runs for the 22nd. The plan is still going to be in place to expand both weeks, but we actually may go into more theaters on the 22nd based on this information.
"The jump from Friday to Saturday was 46 percent. That first week you usually don't have those kind of jumps. Obviously, word of mouth is kind of instantaneous these days. The movie is playing a little older and the older audience shows up on Saturday."
Reflecting on the film's start, Tharp said, "It's off and running. I think the word will continue to be good on the movie as we spread it out to additional runs. We planned on 500 additional theaters (this weekend), and we'll probably go a little wider than that."
Exhibitors are eager to get the film, Tharp added: "There's not much grossing in September, so from the exhibition side they would really like for us to go much faster. But we really do want this positive word to spread on the movie before we go into the market (much wider)."
"Famous" is being released internationally by Sony's Columbia Pictures, which co-financed the production and will share equally with DreamWorks in its success. Columbia will kick off "Famous" in November at the London Film Festival, Sony Pictures Releasing president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning.
"We really don't start (opening abroad) until January," Blake said.
Written and directed by Cameron Crowe ("Jerry Maguire"), "Almost" stars Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Patrick Fugit, Anna Paquin, Fairuza Balk, Noah Taylor and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Buena Vista/Hollywood Pictures' R-rated dramatic comedy "Duets" opened in a tie for ninth place to an out-of-tune estimated $2.0 million at 581 theaters ($3,442 per theater).
Directed by Bruce Paltrow, "Duets" stars Gwyneth Paltrow and Paul Giamatti.
Also tied for ninth place was Dimension Films' R-rated blockbuster comedy horror film spoof "Scary Movie," which expanded in its 10th week with an calm estimated $2.0 million at 1,997 theaters (+1,624 theaters; $1,001 per theater). Its cume is approximately $151.7 million.
Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, it stars Carmen Electra and Shannon Elizabeth.
OLYMPICS IMPACT Although it's easy to speculate that the weekend's dismal box office performance overall was the result of competition from the start of the Olympics, distribution executives said Sunday morning that that wasn't necessarily the case.
"As I look at the grosses," DreamWorks' Jim Tharp said, "from the previous Friday, there's not much drop here. I don't see the impact of the Olympics. Part of it is, there's not a lot of compelling product in the marketplace.
"If you have fresh product in the marketplace, you've got an opportunity to gross. That was our thinking (in launching Almost Famous' now) - since most of the studios did stay away from September. We just thought it was an opportunity. That's why we're going to expand more on the 22nd and the 29th."
Sony Pictures Releasing's Jeff Blake pointed out, "This is the lowest number one gross since Sept. 13, 1996, when 'Maximum Risk' did $5.6 million."
What accounts for the blah box office? "Always pictures first and Olympics second," Blake replied. "Next weekend should be better with 'Urban Legends: Final Cut' (opening from Columbia at about 2,500 theaters) and an expansion of 'Almost Famous,' which is the only good news on the sheet today.
"Usually, young people are available (to see movies) during the Olympics. But obviously they didn't choose to come out for 'Bait.' About the only optimistic note you could (say regarding) the Olympics, is certainly the drops weren't terribly dramatic even on mediocre holdover product. A lot of the pictures that were hits like 'Space Cowboys' and 'What Lies Beneath' had very small drops this week. That to me says (the sluggish business) is more pictures than Olympics. It's not like a Super Bowl where even if you're a hit you drop 50 percent."
"This is the lowest-grossing weekend of the new Millennium," Universal's Nikki Rocco pointed out. "It's the lack of high-profile product in the marketplace. People were in the movies. Look at the average on 'Almost Famous.' If you had a high-profile film, you would have gotten it open this weekend."
OTHER OPENINGS This weekend also saw the arrival of Lions Gate Films' R-rated drama "Urbania," placing 29th with an okay estimated $0.077 million at 10 theaters ($7,700 per theater).
Lions Gate co-president Tom Ortenberg said Sunday morning that the film had opened in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco and would expand next weekend to theaters in Boston, Chicago, Seattle and San Diego.
Directed by Jon Shear, "Urbania" stars Dan Futterman and Matt Keeslar.
Warner Bros.' PG-rated documentary "Into the Arms of Strangers" opened in 30th place to an impressive estimated $0.029 million at 5 theaters ($5,784 per theater). (For details see Dan Fellman's comments included in today's Top Ten coverage.)
Written and directed by Mark Jonathan Harris, "Strangers" was produced by Deborah Oppenheimer.
Shooting Gallery's unrated French drama "Human Resources" opened in 31st place to a soft estimated $0.024 million at 16 theaters ($1,500 per theater).
Written and directed by Laurent Cantet, it stars Jalil Lespert.
MGM's limited release dark comedy " Crime and Punishment in Suburbia" opened in New York and L.A., placing 32nd with a calm estimated $0.010 million at 5 theaters ($2,000 per theater).
Directed by Rob Schmidt, "Suburbia" starsMonica Keena, Vincent Kartheiser and Ellen Barkin.
Columbia's dark comedy "Circus" kicked off in 33rd place to an unhappy estimated $0.009 million at 8 theaters ($1,085 per theater).
Directed by Rob Walker, it stars John Hannah and Famke Janssen.
SNEAK PREVIEWS DreamWorks held 418 sneak previews Saturday night of its R-rated dramatic comedy "Almost Famous," showing it in about 90 of the Top 100 markets where it isn't already playing in limited release. "Famous," which Sony's Columbia Pictures co-financed and is releasing abroad, held well attended successful sneaks in the Top Ten markets one week earlier.
DreamWorks' distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning that he did not have any details available yet as to how the film had played.
"It had gone very well (in its Top Ten market sneaks last Saturday) with 88 percent in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good) and I don't see this one being any different," he said.
Written and directed by Cameron Crowe ("Jerry Maguire"), "Almost" stars Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Patrick Fugit, Anna Paquin, Fairuza Balk, Noah Taylor and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
EXPANSIONS Columbia's R-rated drama "Anatomy" placed 24th with an anemic estimated $0.21 million at 734 theaters (+726 theaters; $285 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.2 million.
Written and directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, it stars Franka Potente and Benno Furmann.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $47.58 million, down about 33.54 percent from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $71.59 million.
This weekend's key film gross was down about 12.05 percent from this year's previous weekend when key films grossed 54.10 million.
Last year, Sony's opening week of "Blue Streak" was first with $19.21 million at 2,735 theaters ($7,023 per theater); and Universal's opening week of "For Love of the Game" was second with $13.04 million at 2,829 theaters ($4,610 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $32.2 million. This year, the top two films grossed an estimated $11.2 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
Universal was first with three films ("The Watcher," "Bring It On" and "Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps"), grossing an estimated $12.04 million or 25.3 percent of the market.
Warner Bros. was second with five films ("Bait," "Space Cowboys," "The Art Of War," "The Perfect Storm" and "The Replacements"), grossing an estimated $11.66 million or 24.5 percent of the market.
DreamWorks was third with two films ("What Lies Beneath"), grossing an estimated $4.9 million or 10.3 percent of the market.
USA Films was fourth with one film ("Nurse Betty"), grossing an estimated $4.71 million or 9.9 percent of the market.
New Line Cinema (New Line and Fine Line Features) was fifth with two films ("The Cell" and "Saving Grace"), grossing an estimated $3.28 million or 6.9 percent of the market.
Miramax (Miramax and Dimension) was sixth with two films ("Scary Movie" and "Highlander: Endgame"), grossing an estimated $3.14 million or 6.6 percent of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES (11)The Art of War/Warner Bros./Franchise Pictures: Theaters: 1,705 (-665) Gross: $1.65 million (-34 percent) Average per theater: $965 Cume: $27.5 million
(12)The Original Kings of Comedy/Paramount: Theaters: 1,040 (+43) Gross: $1.62 million (-31 percent) Average per theater: $1,560 Cume: $34.1 million
(13)The Replacements/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 1,713 (-345) Gross: $1.43 million (-19 percent) Average per theater: $835 Cume: $41.1 million
(14)Nutty Professor II: The Klumps/Universal: Theaters: 1,405 (-288) Gross: $1.23 million (-25 percent) Average per theater: $875 Cume: $118.6 million
(15)The Way of the Gun/Artisan Ent.: Theaters: 1,565 (+50) Gross: $1.16 million (-46 percent) Average per theater: $740 Cume: $4.2 million
(16)Highlander: Endgame/Dimension Films: Theaters: 1,546 (+1) Gross: $1.14 million (-41 percent) Average per theater: $735 Cume: $10.8 million
(17)Coyote Ugly/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 1,104 (-308) Gross: $1.02 million (-22 percent) Average per theater: $925 Cume: $56.7 million
(18)Autumn in New York/MGM: Theaters: 1,572 (-229) Gross: $0.95 million (-33 percent) Average per theater: $605 Cume: $35.5 million
(19)Saving Grace/Fine Line: Theaters: 875 (0) Gross: $0.83 million (-31 percent) Average per theater: $950 Cume: $9.3 million
(20)The Crew/Buena Vista: Theaters: 1,188 (-299) Gross: $0.7 million (-40 percent) Average per theater: $585 Cume: $11.9 million
(21)The Perfect Storm/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 665 (-40) Gross: $0.56 million (-12 percent) Average per theater: $840 Cume: $179.4 million
(22)X-Men/Fox: Theaters: 581 (-84) Gross: $0.5 million (-13 percent) Average per theater: $865 Cume: $154.7 million
(23)Gladiator/DreamWorks: Theaters: 737 (+154) Gross: $0.49 million (+2 percent) Average per theater: $670 Cume: $185.0 million
(24)Anatomy/Columbia: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(25)Backstage/Miramax: Theaters: 297 (-25) Gross: $0.2 million (-60 percent) Average per theater: $675 Cume: $1.0 million
(26)Turn It Up/New Line: Theaters: 631 (-30) Gross: $0.18 million (-68 percent) Average per theater: $290 Cume: $1.1 million
(27)Croupier/Shooting Gallery: Theaters: 121 (-13) Gross: $0.14 million (-23 percent) Average per theater: $1,157 Cume: $5.7 million
(28)Adventures of Rocky &amp; Bullwinkle/Universal: Theaters: 209 (-70) Gross: $0.080 million (-31 percent) Average per theater: $385 Cume: $25.9 million
(29)URBANIA/Lions Gate: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(30)INTO THE ARMS OF STRANGERS/Warner Bros: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(31)HUMAN RESOURCES/Shooting Gallery: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(32)CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN SUBURBIA/MGM/United Artists: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(33)CIRCUS/Columbia: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)

The cheerleaders of "Bring It On" easily topped the chart, despite tracking studies suggesting a closer race for first place with "The Art of War."
Universal's opening of Beacon Pictures' PG-13-rated dark comedy about cheerleaders kicked off to a cheerful ESTIMATED $17.41 million at 2,380 theaters ($7,315 per theater). Its per-theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend.
"In an environment this year where there were lots of teen films that didn't work, finding the appropriate release date for this picture was (very important)," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "We've become this summer's biggest surprise.
"What marketing (under president Marc Shmuger) did was to find the hook to bring the message to the target audience. The hook was the competitiveness of the film (with its white and black cheerleading teams). That's what worked. We didn't sell it as another teen comedy with sex and raunch. We sold it as a competitive film with these kids pitted against each other, which is what the movie really is about. Our marketing did the impossible in an environment where there have been lots of films that didn't work for this target audience (of young females)."
The film's low production cost should make it very profitable for Universal and Beacon. "This picture only cost Universal $10 million," Rocco noted. "Our partners at Beacon - and particularly Marc Abraham (president of Beacon Communications and producer of 'Bring' with Thomas Bliss) - have become such a viable part of Universal. They are the ones that gave us 'Hurricane.' They're giving us a Christmas film, 'Family Man' (a romantic comedy fantasy directed by Brett Ratner and starring Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni). And we're looking forward to 'Spy Game' next year."
Universal's exit polls over the weekend are very encouraging, according to Rocco: "Overall, 75% in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good) and 53% definite recommend. For young females (under 25), it's 90% in the Top Two Boxes and 62% definite recommend." She noted that it was playing particularly well to the under 17 crowd.
Directed by Peyton Reed, it stars Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dusku, Jesse Bradford and Gabrielle Union.
Warner Bros.' R-rated martial arts drama "The Art of War" opened in second place to a solid ESTIMATED $11.19 million at 2,630 theaters ($4,253 per theater).
Directed by Christian Duguay, "War" stars Wesley Snipes, Anne Archer and Donald Sutherland.
New Line's R-rated fantasy suspense thriller "The Cell" slipped two slots to third place in its second weekend with a less sexy ESTIMATED $9.6 million (-45%) at 2,430 theaters (+19 theaters; $3,961 per theater). Its cume is approximately $33.7 million.
Directed by Tarsem, "Cell" stars Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn and Vincent D'Onofrio.
Warner Bros. PG-13 sci-fi action adventure "Space Cowboys" dropped one rung in its fourth week to fourth place, still showing good legs with an ESTIMATED $6.61 million (-30%) at 2,795 theaters (-40 theaters; $2,365 per theater). Its cume is approximately $63.8 million.
"'Space Cowboys' had a phenomenal night last night (Saturday). It was up 69% over Friday. It was huge," Warner Bros. Distribution president Dan Fellman said Sunday morning. "It continues to hold well and continues to benefit from great word of mouth. It's got playability. People enjoy the movie.
"At the end of this week, we'll be at $66 million - where 'Unforgiven' was at $67 million and 'In the Line of Fire' was at $71 million. Now we have Labor Day weekend coming up, so we'll have a terrific hold. The movie's now got a shot at, maybe, north of $90 million."
Fellman also noted that "Cowboys" should also benefit from the fact that it has the next four weeks ahead of it with little or no competition for its adult audience. "We had a great playdate," he said, "and it's turning out that the film is reaping the benefits of it."
Directed by Clint Eastwood, "Space" stars Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, James Garner and Donald Sutherland.
Paramount's R-rated Spike Lee documentary comedy "The Original Kings of Comedy" fell three notches to fifth place in its second week with a less funny ESTIMATED $6.1 million (-45%) at 875 theaters (+28 theaters; $6,971 per theater). Its cume is approximately $21.4 million.
Directed by Spike Lee, "Kings" stars Steve Harvey.
DreamWorks PG-13-rated supernatural thriller "What Lies Beneath" slid one peg in its sixth week to sixth place with an okay ESTIMATED $4.5 million (-33%) at 2,568 theaters (-192 theaters; $1,752 per theater). Its cume is approximately $130.8 million.
"Beneath" is a co-production of DreamWorks, which is releasing it domestically, and 20th Century Fox, which is distributing it internationally.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, "Beneath" stars Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Warner Bros.' PG-13-rated football action comedy "The Replacements" fell three notches to seventh place in its third week with a lower scoring ESTIMATED $4.11 million (-43%) at 2,717 theaters (-37 theaters; $1,511 per theater). Its cume is approximately $30.8 million.
Directed by Howard Deutch, "Replacements" stars Keanu Reeves and Gene Hackman.
Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13-rated Mafia comedy "The Crew" opened in a virtual tie for seventh place to a quiet ESTIMATED $4.1 million at 1,510 theaters ($2,715 per theater).
Directed by Michael Dinner, "Crew" stars Richard Dreyfuss, Burt Reynolds, Dan Hedaya and Seymour Cassel.
Universal and Imagine Entertainment's PG-13-rated comedy sequel "Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps" skidded three slots to ninth place in its fifth week with a calm ESTIMATED $3.34 million (-47%) at 2,543 theaters (-426 theaters; $1,315 per theater). Its cume is approximately $109.8 million.
Directed by Peter Segal, it stars Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson and Larry Miller.
Rounding out the Top Ten was MGM's PG-13-rated romantic drama "Autumn in New York," down two pegs in its third week with a slower ESTIMATED $3.15 million (-42%) at 2,260 theaters (-22 theaters; $1,393 per theater). Its cume is approximately $26.7 million.
Directed by Joan Chen, it stars Richard Gere and Winona Ryder.
OTHER OPENINGS
This weekend also saw the arrival of Lions Gate Films' unrated romantic comedy "Love &amp; Sex" in New York and Los Angeles, placing 26th with an encouraging ESTIMATED $64,000 at 8 theaters ($8,000 per theater).
Directed by Valerie Breiman, it stars Famke Janssen and John Favreau.
"It was a gorgeous weekend in New York and L.A., so that cuts the Friday to Saturday bumps down a little bit," Lions Gate co-president Tom Ortenberg said Sunday morning.
"But people seem to like this movie, so hopefully they will tell all their friends."
Looking ahead, Ortenberg added, "Sex" will move into the Top 20 markets Sept. 8.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
There were no national sneak previews this weekend.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front this weekend, Artisan Entertainment's R-rated dark comedy "Cecil B. Demented" went wider in its third week, placing 23rd with an okay ESTIMATED $0.18 million (+13%) at 69 theaters (+39 theaters; $2,650 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.6 million.
Directed by John Waters, it stars Melanie Griffith and Stephen Dorff.
USA Films' director's cut reissue of the R-rated 1984 thriller "Blood Simple" added theaters in its eighth week, placing 25th with a quiet ESTIMATED $70,000 (-18%) at 63 theaters (+2 theaters; $1,105 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.5 million.
Directed by Joel Coen and written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, it stars John Ge z, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, Samm-Art Williams and M. Emmet Walsh.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $84.92 million, down about 4.28% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $88.71 million. This weekend's key film gross was down about 10.54% from this year's previous weekend when key films grossed $94.92 million.
Last year, Buena Vista's fourth week of "The Sixth Sense" was first with $20.10 million at 2,763 theaters ($7,274 per theater); and Buena Vista's opening week of "The 13th Warrior" was second with $10.27 million at 2,306 theaters ($4,453 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $30.4 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $28.6 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
Universal was first with two films ("Bring It On" and "Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps"), grossing an ESTIMATED $24.75 million or 29.2% of the market.
Warner Bros. was second with four films ("Space Cowboys," "The Art Of War," "The Perfect Storm" and "The Replacements"), grossing an ESTIMATED $23.21 million or 27.3% of the market.
New Line was third with one film ("The Cell"), grossing an ESTIMATED $9.6 million or 11.3% of the market.
Paramount was fourth with two films ("The Original Kings of Comedy" and "Bless the Child"), grossing an ESTIMATED $8.9 million or 10.5% of the market.
Buena Vista (Disney and Touchstone) was fifth with three films ("The Crew," "Coyote Ugly" and "Disney's The Kid") grossing an ESTIMATED $7.52 million or 8.9% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia and TriStar) was tied for sixth with two films ("Godzilla 2000" and "The Hollow Man"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.5 million or 5.3% of the market.
DreamWorks was tied for sixth with two films("What Lies Beneath" and "Chicken Run"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.5 million or 5.3% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11)Hollow Man/Columbia: Theaters: 2,481 (-475) Gross: $2.8 million (-53%) (tie) Average per theater: $1,129 Cume: $66.6 million
(11)Coyote Ugly/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 2,296 (-243) Gross: $2.8 million (-43%) (tie) Average per theater: $1,220 Cume: $49.3 million
(11)Bless the Child/Paramount: Theaters: 2,350 (-171) Gross: $2.8 million (-42%) (tie) Average per theater: $1,191 Cume: $22.8 million
(14)Godzilla 2000/TriStar: Theaters: 2,111 (0) Gross: $1.7 million (-61%) Average per theater: $805 Cume: $7.6 million
(15)The Perfect Storm/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 1,205 (-212) Gross: $1.3 million (-27%) Average per theater: $1,090 Cume: $175.7 million
(16)X-Men/Fox: Theaters: 1,175 (-449) Gross: $1.3 million (-49%) Average per theater: $1,095 Cume: $151.1 million
(17)Saving Grace/Fine Line: Theaters: 255 (0) Gross: $0.79 million (-24%) Average per theater: $3,085 Cume: $3.2 million
(18) Scary Movie/Miramax/Dimension: Theaters: 1,051 (-450) Gross: $0.71 million (-45%) Average per theater: $675 Cume: $148.6 million
(19)Disney's The Kid/Buena Vista/Disney: Theaters: 919 (-303) Gross: $0.62 million (-45%) Average per theater: $669 Cume: $65.6 million
(20)Chicken Run/DreamWorks: Theaters: 823 (-179) Gross: $0.48 million (-47%) Average per theater: $583 Cume: $102.8 million
(21)Gladiator/DreamWorks: Theaters: 507 (+223)(sub-run) Gross: $0.4 million (+34%) Average per theater: $785 Cume: $182.7 million
(22)Pokemon: The Movie 2000/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 538 (-100) Gross: $0.3 million (-50%) Average per theater: $485 Cume: $42.5 million
(23)Cecil B. Demented/Artisan: (See EXPANSIONS above)
(24)Adventures of Rocky &amp; Bullwinkle/Universal: Theaters: 362 (-74) Gross: $0.18 million (-20%) Average per theater: $485 Cume: $25.3 million
(25)Blood Simple/USA: (See EXPANSIONS above)
(26)LOVE &amp; SEX/Lions Gate: (See OTHER OPENINGS above)
(27)Alice &amp; Martin/USA: Theaters: 13 (-1) Gross: $34,000 (-6%) Average per theater: $2,650 Cume: $0.3 million